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Risk Management: Habitability in Property Management (Updated January 2022)

July 27, 2022 by Nikki Van Reenen

What is habitability and why is it so important?

Essentially, it is anything that endangers the livability of the property and the health and welfare of the tenants. Many common issues are lack of heat, running water, major roof leaks, unsafe electrical, carpeting, stairways, or sidewalks, etc.

When renting a property to others, whether a house or a condominium, it is under the assumption that it complies with an “implied warranty of habitability.” Simply put, this means that the property you are renting is structurally safe for human habitation.

An owner must prove basic criteria for “implied warranty of habitability.”

  • The property is to be structurally sound, meaning it does not contain pest problems, holes in the walls, ceilings, or floors, and is safe for occupancy. A home that has any of these problems, or that does not provide adequate protection from the elements, is not considered fit for occupancy.
  • Known hazards or problems within the dwelling that might make it unsafe for tenants, such as asbestos insulation, lead paint, carbon monoxide leaks, or problematic plumbing. When renting a property, the owner implies that there are no hazardous aspects to the dwelling.
  • It is necessary to provide a working bathroom. Therefore, properly working bathroom fixtures, such as a sink, toilet, and bathtub or shower, must be usable for it to be fit for occupancy.
  • A consistently recurring problem may not fit the implied warranty of habitability. For example, if there is a problem with lack of heat, this is a breach of the implied warranty of habitability.
  • Electrical lighting, with wiring and electrical equipment that conformed to applicable law at the time of installation, must be maintained in good working order.
  • There must be locks on all exterior doors and locks or security devices on windows designed to be opened that are maintained in good working order.
  • Recent amendments to this bill state that the absence of mold is another requirement of a habitable residence.
  • Recent amendments to this bill also state that functioning appliances that conformed to applicable law at the time of installation, and that are maintained and in good working order are another requirement.

If a problem exists and the property owner does not provide the maintenance required to solve the problem, it can lead to a lawsuit filed for “breach of implied warranty of habitability” and is subject to the collection of punitive damages. The court has a very dim view of property owners that ignore the safety of their tenants. The court puts the burden of proof on the owner, not the tenant.

What are Habitability Claims

Over the years, courts have made many habitability rulings based on the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, the URLTA. When faced with a difficult case between Landlord and Tenant, a judge will often consult the many points of this Act before rendering a decision. A number of states have based their statutory law on this act or the Model Residential Landlord-Tenant Code. Interpretations can vary with different judges and in different states. In addition, states will often model their legislation on rulings based on those of another state. Many people are unaware of the existence of these acts and their impact on tenant relations.

Landlord-tenant law in the United States originated from English common law developed within an agricultural society. The URLTA stems from this.

The basic purposes of the act were to:

  • Simplify, clarify, modernize, and revise the laws governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants.
  • Encourage landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality of housing.
  • Make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this Act among those states that enact it.
  • There are many specific definitions included such as good faith, building, and housing codes, dwelling unit, landlord, owner, person, premises, rent, rental agreement, single-family residence, tenant, etc.

Exceptions to Warranty of Habitability:

  • If the uninhabitable condition is the result of stalking, or domestic violence, domestic abuse, unlawful sexual behavior upon the tenant and the landlord has been given written notice and evidence of the domestic violence, abuse, or stalking.
  • If the uninhabitable condition is the result of a casualty or catastrophe to the dwelling unit, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement without further liability

Are Landlords responsible for Pest Control?

Unfortunately, there are many cases where landlords have ignored maintenance concerning “habitability.” These actions have lead to major court decisions. This in turn has produced more Fair Housing laws, lead based paint requirements, mold legislation, and more, all of which have a far-reaching impact on investment property.

How long does a Landlord have to make a repair in Colorado?

As your property management company, we have the expertise to handle these important issues. We make habitability a primary concern to protect your investment.

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The material provided in this newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT legal advice. Although we believe this material is accurate, we cannot guarantee that it is 100% without errors.

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